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Sports & Outdoors


December 18, 2025
A reader out working on island sent us this photo of an owl on Banyan Street on Wednesday. Indeed there were two in the trees; he also got a video for our Beacon Facebook page.                     …

December 18, 2025
Liz Eastes is a Marine Environmental Specialist with Charlotte County and will be giving a lecture on the Blueway Trails of Charlotte County, and artificial reefs on Friday, Jan. 9 from 10:30 a.m. t…

December 18, 2025
The South Gulf Cove Lock holiday schedule is as follows:  Christmas Eve – Normal business hours 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Christmas Day, Dec 25, 2025 will be unmanned.

December 18, 2025
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board approved the 2025 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) on Dec. 16. The District’s RWSP provides a framework for future water management…

December 18, 2025
Charlotte County adds plantings along 771 Over the past several weeks, crews from Brightview Landscaping Services, Inc. have been working to install the final landscaping elements in the medi…

December 18, 2025
A night heron took on the view at the Boca Grande Causeway the week before last. Because of the darkness, it is unclear which variety decided to look for passing boats. They are all of the Nycticora…

December 18, 2025
After the completion of renourishment at Gasparilla Island State Park and the rebuilding of a rip-rap wall, the sand is beginning to settle at the south end of the island. The Beacon’s Dusty Hopk…

December 18, 2025
Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh will welcome Dr. Gregg Poulakis of the Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to discuss the endangered smalltooth saw…

December 18, 2025
Whatever else be lost among the years, Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing: Whatever doubt assails us, or what fears, Let us hold close one day remembering Its poignant meaning for the heart…

December 11, 2025
BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND CONSERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association proudly marked the 40th anniversary of its Bike Path with a small…